A Philippe Starck-designed guest room at the new W Las Vegas. (Image: Marriott)

In U.S. hotel news, Marriott/Starwood opens a new W in Las Vegas; the Conrad Chicago makes its debut; Hilton adds a location in downtown Brooklyn and an affiliate in Manhattan, as well as a DoubleTree in Hawaii; and there’s a new boutique property in the Twin Cities.

One of the two towers at the SLS Las Vegas – which is a member of Marriott’s Tribute Portfolio – has been transformed into a 289-room W Hotel. Marriott took on the W brand as part of its merger with Starwood, and this becomes the first W in Las Vegas. The W’s rooms were designed by Philippe Starck, offering “a cheeky interpretation of luxury hospitality,” the company said, along with the W brand’s signature bedding and Bliss bath amenities. At the top of the tower is a 2,382 square foot Extreme WOW Suite designed by Lenny Kravitz. (Yes, that Lenny Kravitz.) The W has 15,000 square feet of its own meeting space, plus another 80,000 in the SLS complex. There’s a rooftop bar called the Wet Deck, a spa and fitness center, and a total of seven restaurants in the complex. Rates start as low as $114.

An atrium with a view at the new Conrad Chicago.(Image: Conrad Hotels)

At 101 E. Erie in downtown Chicago,a former office building has been transformed into the newly opened Conrad Chicago, a part of the Hilton family of brands. The 20-story Conrad has 287 rooms and suites equipped with personal refrigerators, big 96-inch beds, 65-inch TVs and keyless entry. Guests can use the hotel’s luxury car service for free drop-offs within a two-mile radius. Food and beverage options include an Italian restaurant on the ground floor, a “bourbon- centric” eatery with American cuisine on the 20th floor, and a Japanese rooftop restaurant coming next summer. Guests can sample some of what Chicago offers without leaving the premises by using the hotel’s VR Concierge, offering 360-degree views through an Oculus VR headset. Rates start at $225. (The previous Conrad Chicago in 2015 was transformed into The Gwen, a member of Starwood’s Luxury Collection.)

A guest room at the Brooklyn Hilton. (Image: Hilton)

New York City’s borough of Brooklyn has become a hot spot for commercial development, and Hilton has just opened a property in Brooklyn’s Boerum Hill neighborhood, two blocks from Atlantic Avenue and not far from the Brooklyn Heights Historic District and the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway. The Hilton Brooklyn New York at Smith and Schermerhorn streets occupies a building that used to be a rope factory in the 19th century. The 196-room Hilton has a 24-hour fitness center, a business center, concierge service and a grab-and-go pantry. Through May 29, HHonors members can earn an extra 1,000 points per night when they stay here. Non-refundable advance purchase rates start as low as $135; regular rates are from $159. (Meanwhile, an independent luxury property called The Renwick that opened last year in Manhattan on East 40th Street has just become a member of Hilton’s Curio Collection, making it a participant in Hilton’s reservations system and HHonors program.)

Hilton’s new DoubleTree in Hilo, Hawaii. (Image: Hilton)

In Hawaii, the former Grand Naniloa Hotel in Hilo, on the Big Island, has gone through a $30 million overhaul and emerged as a DoubleTree by Hilton. The 320-room hotel – the first DoubleTree on the Big Island — is on a 70-acre oceanfront site just two miles from Hilo International Airport. It has a nine-hole golf course, a big outdoor pool, 24-hour business center, and 13,000 square feet of meeting space. Guest rooms come with free Wi-Fi, big work desks, microwaves, refrigerators, and DoubleTree’s signature beds. Hilton is offering Honors members 5,000 bonus points for a minimum three-night stay at the hotel through March 15 when they book directly with Hilton. HHonors rates start at $154 in January on direct bookings.

A cozy room at The Hewing in Minneapolis. (Image: Aparium Hotel Group)

What was formerly an old warehouse in the North Loop section of Minneapolis has been reborn as a boutique hotel. The 124-room Hewing Hotel is at the corner of Washington and 3rd Avenue, featuring “Nordic-inspired décor” like lots of bare wood and rooms with exposed brick walls and timber ceilings. It has a rooftop bar, spa pool and sauna; and a main floor restaurant called Tullibee. The Hewing is operated by the Chicago-based Aparium Hotel Group, which also runs the Iron Horse Hotel in Milwaukee. Rates start at $179.

Headed to Las Vegas and trying to make the most of a quick trip? Like most business travelers, you have little time to waste on old, tired offerings, right? The last time I was there my meetings ran over, and I had little time to get out and see what was new before I had to race back to the airport. (Plus, Uber was not available, and its availability in Nevada is still moving slowly through political muck.)

To make up for that, and to get a full report on a few of the latest, greatest, things in town I turned to TravelSkills reader and Las Vegas insider Frank Corto for a quick rundown on what’s new, hot and happening.

Here’s what he’s got for us:

A room at the new Cromwell Las Vegas (Photo: Caesars)

Newest boutique hotel. Even if you’re in Las Vegas for business, you can enjoy a one-of-a-kind hotel. A recent addition, The Cromwell, offers a truly unique experience: it is the strip’s first boutique hotel. Parisian-inspired and intimate, The Cromwell stands out for its smallness in a land of hotel behemoths: just 188 plush rooms that offer each guest a sophisticated mix of modern and vintage influences.

Biggest hit on the party scene. Las Vegas isn’t wanting for nightlife, but Hakkasan Group’s new club Omnia might be the most impressive offering of 2015. A strong contender joining the already imposing match of EDM venues, Omnia is snagging some of the world’s most sought-after DJs by outspending the competition. Between the opulent, multi-sensory experience and the premiere talents, partiers everywhere are winning big—just make sure you don’t go the night before your big meeting.

(If in case you don’t know know what EDM is, it’s short for Electronic Dance Music, and one of the hottest things in Vegas these days.–Chris)

New Alibi cocktail lounge in Las Vegas (Image: Alibi)

Best new cocktail lounge. If you’re looking for an opulent, imaginative hideaway in which to sip some incredible cocktails after—or even during—a meeting, head to the Alibi Cocktail Lounge at the Aria Resort and Casino. Outfitted with plush seating, imported granite, and brass accents, this warmly low-lit lounge feels like a contemporary speakeasy for a modern-day Jay Gatsby. Don’t get too distracted by the setting to enjoy the Alibi’s best feature, though: the cocktail list includes modern riffs on classics as well as decadent creations all their own.

Opening night at the SLS Las Vegas (Photo: SLS)

Another hot hotel newcomer. If the vintage Parisian vibe of The Cromwell isn’t your thing, a stay at sexier SLS Las Vegas may be just what you need. Though there is some shared French influence, this sleek, stylish, and impeccably modern hotel caters to a very different sensibility. Recently opened at the former site of the Sahara hotel, SLS features four nightclubs and a casino, as well as a VIP entrance for guests. If you come to Vegas for business, but plan to tack on a couple extra days to enjoy with a loved one then SLS might just hit the spot: a peek-a-boo shower and a mountain lodge-inspired buffet add some playful twists to a romantic getaway.

An unpretentious pub. Though Vegas is a hub of luxury and opulence, after a long day of work you may just want to wind down in an easy going environment. A great place to enjoy a humble pint and pub fare is the Tilted Kilt at the Linq. The chain started in Vegas before relocating to Arizona and spawning franchises, so its return is a full circle journey. A lively environment (servers sport mini-kilts) and nightly specials make this fun bar a great place to escape when you need to have a low-key evening in Las Vegas.

Main stage at the new Rock in Rio venue in Vegas should be rockin by this summer (Image: Facebook)

Funnest festival. All summer long, Las Vegas will play host to the famous Rock in Rio festival. With acts spanning from pop to world music to EDM, the festival will host some of the world’s most sought-after musicians. The venue, which will host over fifteen concerts per day, also features the likes of a zip line, multiple bars, and a Ferris wheel: essentially, the festival is the grown-up amusement park of your dreams. So even if you’re not in Las Vegas for a vacation, do yourself a favor and schedule a day at the end of your trip to enjoy all Rock in Rio has to offer.

Even if your next trip to Las Vegas is booked to the brim with business, remember that this unique city can offer some one-of-a-kind recreation. Whether you need to wind down after a long day, or want to take advantage of the nightlife, you won’t be wanting for something new and incredibly fun to do.

–Frank Corto

Frank Corto is the founder of Sin City VIP, the inside source for everything Las Vegas, including hotel deals, nightclubs, pool parties and VIP packages for the hottest clubs and biggest special events. As a premium VIP Services provider, Sin City VIP offers Las Vegas VIP packages that include the absolute best that Las Vegas has to offer, with the high level of personal customer service for which Las Vegas is known.

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Editor Chris McGinnis

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